Private Ultimate Open-Top Bison Safari in Custer State Park

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  Experience the ultimate luxury journey along Needles Highway. This premium, curated excursion showcases the Black Hills' most exclusive vistas, towering granite spires and cathedral peaks. Your itinerary includes a stop at the iconic Needles Eye formation for private photography. Sit back as your expert guide effortlessly navigates the switchbacks and the historic, hand-carved Iron Creek Tunnel. The centerpiece of your tour is an extended experience at pristine Sylvan Lake. Celebrated for its breathtaking aesthetic, this alpine oasis offers a serene escape. Enjoy the shoreline walking trail, perfect for capturing tranquil reflections and majestic boulder formations.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Iron Mountain Road

  Experience America’s most engineered scenic drive on this unforgettable journey along Iron Mountain Road. Connecting Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, this 17-mile masterpiece was intentionally designed to slow you down, offering dramatic views, historic architecture, and an immersive Black Hills experience. Perfect for photographers, nature lovers, and engineering enthusiasts alike.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Wildlife Loop Road

  Spanning 18 miles of pristine prairies and pine-speckled hills, the Wildlife Loop Road inside Custer State Park is one of the premier locations in North America to view iconic Western wildlife in their natural habitat. From the comfort and safety of your special vehicle, you'll cross paths with the park's world-famous herd of 1,400 free-roaming bison, often resulting in thrilling, up-close "bison jams" right on the road! Look out for pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, elk and prairie dog. For nature lovers, this drive offers a front-row seat to the untamed spirit of the American West. And a fan-favorite stop on this route includes an encounter with the park's famous wild burros. These friendly, curious animals know our vehicles well and approach us first, anticipating their favorite treat. This unique interaction offers unmatched photo opportunities for travelers of all ages. They are descendants of working burros used for trail rides up Harney Peak in the 1920s and later set free.

  1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Stockade Lake

  Stockade Lake is the largest and most tranquil lake in Custer State Park. Offering a serene atmosphere, and a welcome escape from the crowds, it is an ideal destination for a peaceful afternoon gourmet picnic by the water.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5
  Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower

  Elevate your trip with a scenic drive up to Mount Coolidge Lookout. Perched on a 6,023-foot peak just north of Blue Bell Lodge, this historic tower was hand-built from native stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is not just a monument; it is a fully operational fire lookout and communication hub. From the top, you will experience unmatched views of Custer State Park. Look out across the pine forest to spot Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, then turn eastward to see the jagged spires of the Badlands 60 miles away. Black Hills Open Top Tours is one of the exclusive tour companies that feature this stunning stop.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6
  Custer State Park Visitor Center

  Uncover the rich heritage, presidential secrets, and wildlife legacies hidden within one of America's premier state parks. This journey takes you through four essential historic landmarks: State Game Lodge: renowned for its grand, historic character. It served as the "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927 and later hosted President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Bison Center: Engaging, interactive, and dynamic interpretive displays of the North American Bison of the Great Plains. This modern facility offers immersive exhibits and an introductory film that explores the deep history of the prairie and its most iconic resident, the American bison. Badger Hole: Explore the rustic, three-room cabin hand-built by Charles Badger Clark Jr., South Dakota’s very first poet laureate. Nestled in the woods, this historic home offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the writer behind legendary cowboy poems like "A Cowboy Prayer" and "Ridin'."

  1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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